SW boarding policy with infants?

[jcarwash]

Here is the link to the Southwest boarding school:

http://www.southwest.com/html/generated/help/faqs/boarding_school_faq.html

The specific text is:
Do families get to preboard?

An adult traveling with a child four years old or younger may board during Family Boarding, which occurs after the "A" group has boarded and before the "B" group begins boarding. However, those Customers holding an "A" boarding pass should still board with the "A" boarding group.

 

[francie57]

Flew SW for the first time in June out of Hartford and there was no family boarding on our flight since it would have included basically the entire plane. There was also none on our return flight. Thankfully we paid for the early check-in and had A19, 20. We are traveling SW again in a few weeks to MCO so will be interested to see if they have the family boarding then. We have the early check-in for the 4 of us both ways (bought it the day the fares opened for our dates) so hopefully we will get great numbers again.

 

[gmeh1]

LOL! Yes, that's what you say (Trust me I see it at airports all the time the "we are special and the rules don't apply to us do they" It's the rule of travel today! It rarely works, but it's fun to watch!)

LOL, yes it is. It happens everywhere. Gotta love the "entitlement" mentality. (NOT aimed at anyone here).

 

[Keegansmommy]

My whole family was allowed to board in the A group flying from Detroit to MCO. I asked the flight attendnet if my younger son and I could board during family boarding. We had to split our reservation and my husband and 4 year old were in the A group and my 2 year old son and I were in the B group. She told me we could all just board in the A group. On the way home, the GA announced family boarding for those traveling with children 5 and under.

 

[Missytara]

My whole family was allowed to board in the A group flying from Detroit to MCO. I asked the flight attendnet if my younger son and I could board during family boarding. We had to split our reservation and my husband and 4 year old were in the A group and my 2 year old son and I were in the B group. She told me we could all just board in the A group. On the way home, the GA announced family boarding for those traveling with children 5 and under.

As previous posters stated, most flights on SW to MCO are full of families, especially around the holiday times. Can you imagine T-giving week if the entire plane was able to do entire family boarding? It would be worse than the standard cattle chute rush to board.

SW is full of families due to the lack of baggage fees and seat assignment fees, so potentially, everyone could all board at once.

The gate agents have to adjust boarding based on the info they have at the gate. Sad, for them. None of the other airlines have go deal with that mess.

 

[goofy4tink]

Is a 'lap baby' a 'qualified child'???

 

[gmeh1]

Is a 'lap baby' a 'qualified child'???

Only if it is under 4.

 

[chipscinderelly]

we've flown SWA out of STL several times to Orlando (and other destinations) and we've always been able to board between A and B with our kids. For us the extra time allows us to get the car seats strapped in properly. I also asked the gate agent prior what they were planning to do.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Important to note - especially in light of the above post - that the OP will not have the luxury or need of a car seat, since she is not purchasing a seat for her lap child.

 

[pooch]

(hi francie!!!!) in May with our 2 yr old DGS. I bought EBCI for DH only. He got on and got the car seat installed while DGS & I waited for family boarding. Agents both ways said "we always do family boarding" though clearly that is not the case.

A little OT but I was kind of amazed that we were the only ones to bring a car seat on the plane (overprotective grandparents???). I really thought the car seat was perfect. He was used to riding in one so no complaints about being in it. It allowed him to see out the window and 10 min after take off, he was out like a light til we taxied to the gate!!

 

[kylmac]

We flew Southwest from Washington DC to Phoenix AZ and I was allowed to preboard with our 10 year old son who is autistic. My daughter and husband joined us soon afterwards. We got the blue sleeve. I saw many families preboard with young children. I also felt sorry for a family with an infant that was a last minute booking and they were not able to sit together as the flight was full. Good luck-just ask at check in or try to check in online 24 hours ahead.
Elizabeth